Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-11-18
His Last Balloon Ascension.
JONAS JUTToN.

C0A humOCA VI years. Ah INV
early part Of my life, l was advance
agent for various circuses. l re-
ceived q very remunerative salary,
but as l was constantly on the 60
and could hardly find time to
breathe / grew tired OF it and en-
barked in other pursuits, which,
though sometimes not paying me as
muck as representative Of the big
gest and only show on earth, was
q great deal more satisfactory to
me.
From 1867 to 1870 l worked Van
Amburg's show ahead. During
three years there was young @rO-
naut, by the name Of Preston, who
travelled with us, making ascen-
sions every afternoon when the
weather was propitious. He was a
noble-hearted, handsome, intelh-
gent young man of %, and was a
favorite with the entire company
he was also strictly temperate,
which, certainly, could not truth
fully be said of all the attaches Of
our circus.
Preston aud l formed quite an
attachment for each other, and
whenever was with the circus We
were constantly together. There
was daredevil spirit about him
which one, who knew him, could
not help but admire. He always
insisted on bis balloon being tight
ly inflated, and no where did he
appeal as much in his element as
when performing some perilOus feat
several thousand feet in mid-air.
IQuit the circus business in 20,
and for several years after that l
received an occasional letter from
him, but finally he ceased writing
and l lost sight of him entirely.
A few months ago l visited Jack
sonyille, Fla, for my health, and
QUE day while there, after heartily
enjoying a dinner, such as can on
" be obtained at gulf coast hotel, |
lit my cigar and started out for a
stroll around town. | had walked
about three blocks from the hotel,
when Preston and came very near
running into one another.
''Bless the baby elephant, if here
amt Jutton !" he exclaimed, almost
embracing me in his JOY, and squeez-
ing my hand 50 tightly that l could
not help but vince.
He was no gladder to see me than
was to see him. After asking and
answering a dozen or more ques-
tions, Preston said:
"Well, Jut, old boy, what on
earth are you doing down in this
part OF the universe anyway l
hope you are going to remain some
time ~
"Well, several weeks, | guess" |
replied. 81 am merely seeking
health and recreation. And you
are married aud living near here ?"
continued.
"Yes," was the reply, al live in
two miles and a halt Of town, and
you have got to make my house
your home, as long as you stay in
this neck OF the woods, as old Bill
Riley, one of our canvasmen, used
to say. | have a good horse and
buggy, and will bring you in town
every morning if you wish to come.
know every foot of this country,
and if there is any part of it that
you wish to visit l will take you
there in a buggy or horseback, Just
as you prefer. Eve two as good
horses as there are in this section
OF country"
"Don't offer any more induce
menis Pres. l accept. But tell
me how came you to marry and
settle in this part of the country"
"Oh, we'll, that part of the story
must be reserved for another hme,"
he replied. "Cone on; had just
started TO the stable to have my
horse hitched up. We will go out
home, ana after supper, while we
are enjoying our cigars on the YER
anda. l will tell you the whole
story"
The drive to PrestOn's farm was
over two miles and a half of as pref
tv shell road as / ever saw, and |
don't think ever enjoyed ride so
much in my life.
AS We drove up to the gate which
led to the stable was impressed
with the air Of comfort and con.
tentment which peryaded the en-
tire place. Fowls Ofall kinds were
busy picking up grain near the sta
BILE a dozen or more tat pOrkers
we're granting their approval of
things In a mud hole near a large
pond; the tinkle OF sleeps bell
and the bleat of lamb came plain
lively clear aud distinct from the
green, grassy meadow, and several
sleek and glossy COWS were lowing
as they leisurely wendell their way
homeward through the deep shade
OF the greenwood, which was filed
with the fragrance of orange bios
SONS and thousand rare and beau.
tifnl wild flowers.
The negro boy, who met us at the
lot gate, took charge Of the horse
and buggy and I followed Preston
IN fhe hnnap which was a hpaufifnl